Cricket is set to introduce a new mixed-gender format called Test Twenty, where boys and girls will contribute to the same team’s score. The inaugural tournament will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from November 14 to 29, 2026. It will feature 160 young cricketers aged 13 to 21, selected from around the world and divided into four continental teams.
All About Test Twenty: A first in cricket as boys and girls play for the same team
How will Test Twenty work?
Each team will have 40 players, including 20 girls and 20 boys. The girls’ XI will play against the opposing girls’ XI, while the boys’ XI will face the opposing boys’ XI. However, their runs will be added together to decide one team result.
Each match will feature 80 overs, divided into four 20-over innings:
- First 40 overs: Played during daylight with a red ball and traditional white clothing.
- Next 40 overs: Played under floodlights with a white ball and coloured clothing.
- Combined scores: Runs from the first half will carry forward, with no score reset for the second half.
The format aims to combine the strategy of Test cricket with the shorter, faster innings of T20 cricket. It also gives girls and boys an equal role in deciding their team’s result.
What makes it different?
Test Twenty introduces a system called the Parity Rule. Girls and boys play in separate XIs, but neither group can win the match without the contribution of the other. The tournament is being presented as a new way to bring young male and female cricketers together through one shared competition.
FAQs on Test Twenty
What is Test Twenty?
Test Twenty is a new 80-over cricket format in which separate boys’ and girls’ XIs contribute to one combined team result.
When and where will the first Test Twenty tournament take place?
The inaugural tournament will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from November 14 to 29, 2026.
How many players will take part?
A total of 160 players aged 13 to 21 will participate. They will be divided into four continental teams, each with 20 girls and 20 boys.
Will boys and girls play against each other?
No. The boys’ XI will play against the opposing boys’ XI, and the girls’ XI will face the opposing girls’ XI. Their scores will then be combined to decide the overall result.
Why is it called Test Twenty?
The format combines elements of Test cricket, such as strategy and multiple innings, with the shorter 20-over innings associated with T20 cricket.
What is the Parity Rule?
It is the scoring system under which the runs made by the boys’ and girls’ XIs count equally towards one shared team result.
Did you know?
The first 40 overs will use a red ball, while the remaining 40 will use a white ball. Players will also change from traditional white cricket clothing to coloured kits for the floodlit session.
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- IPL 2026 Highlights: The Most Record-Breaking Season Ever!
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